USCG AUX

Operations Department

Ditching, Water Survival and Why You May Need A New ELT
How to manage the risks of flying over water
Skills you never want to use, but youd better know just in case!
Robert T. Shafer, Operations (Response) Department - Deputy Chief U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

How to plan not to ditch, but how to stay alive if you do.
The Hazard Cold water can kill Things to do to prevent trouble Risk Assessment and Management What to do if things go very wrong Ditching Technique How to call for help - Signaling How to stay alive until help comes Water Survival Stuff to use to help stay alive Equipment (Including those new ELTs)

Some Terms
Ditching:

Forced landing of an aircraft on water. (Not crashing) Survive: To remain alive. SAR Search and Rescue: Use of available resources to assist persons in distress.

Risk Management Terms

Risk Chance of injury or loss Mishap Unplanned event causing loss Hazard Real or potential danger Severity Potential Consequences Probability Likelihood of Mishap Exposure Amount of time, # people Risk Assessment Evaluation of Risk for Specific Hazards

Risk Management 101

Avoid Unnecessary Risk Accept Necessary Risk When Benefits Outweigh Costs Reduce Unavoidable Risk by Reducing Exposure Probability Severity

Surface water temperatures in the Great Lakes range from highs in late August around 65F to 70F To a low in late December through late March of about 32, or. . .

The Hazard

ice water.

Its not just the Great Lakes! Long term average Sea Surface Temperatures on much of both the East and West coast are less than 50 F.

The Hazard

Consequences of the Hazard

Cold Water is a Big, Big Deal! Sudden immersion in extremely cold water can cause sudden death. And if it doesnt, Cold water removes heat, and with it life, from your body. Your life expectancy depends on the temperature of the water. You have to stop heat loss to the cold water or you will die.

Sudden immersion in extremely cold water can cause: Pain

Uncontrollable gasp (Torso Reflex) may cause aspiration of water & drowning. Hyperventilation Changes in BP, heart rate, cardiac arrest & death. May be cause of many unexplained sudden disappearances. Alcohol causes this to be exaggerated.

Greater Exposure = Greater Risk

Due to extreme cold, lack of muscle coordination begins within 10-15 minutes, making self rescue difficult.
Water conducts heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature.

Average time until death under good conditions

60 degree water - survival time 7 hours 50 degree water - survival time 2.5 hours 40 degree water - survival time 2 hours 32 degree water - survival time 1.5 hours

Reduce Probability & Exposure

Is it really necessary to fly over water? Sometimes a short detour will avoid or minimize long over water flights, while adding little time to the overall flight. Fly as high as possible to extend communication range, and to lengthen gliding time and range. Avoid flight over water if not necessary, or if you are not equipped.

Reduce Probability & Exposure

Make Sure Aircraft is in Good Condition

(Sounds obvious, but apparently it isnt.)

Make Sure Fuel is Sufficient

(Again, sounds obvious, doesnt it? Then why are so many ditchings fuel related?)

File an Flight Plan - VFR or IFR Use Lake / Island Reporting Service, or Use Flight Following

Reduce Probability
Most

sudden engine stoppages are fuel related. Check the fuel carefully for sufficient quantity and quality (correct type, no contamination). Then check it again. Make sure all tanks needed are feeding correctly before going feet wet (over water).

Lake / Island Reporting Service

Flight Service holds your radio guard while you are over water. You check in by radio every 10 min. If they do not hear from you for 15 min, and they cant raise you, they assume youre in trouble, and alert SAR facilities. Its easy, it greatly increases your odds, and the price is right!

Reduce Severity
Be

Equipped w/ Life Jackets (PFDs) & Raft / Exposure Suits

Wear

PFDs over Water

Have

a Plan

Practice

your Plan

Reduce Severity
Yes,

wear the PFDs when flying over water. They are very difficult to put on in the plane, while you are preparing to ditch. They do no good way in the back of the plane with the tow bar, spare oil can, expired charts, tie down ropes and $100 hamburger wrappers.

Be Prepared!
Most

Ditchings occur in critical phases of flight Take Off, Landing or Hover. 92% have less than 1 minute warning. 28% have less than 15 seconds warning.

Preventative SAR
Always

have Positional Awareness when over water.

If

you dont know where you are, who does?

If

you dont know where you are, how can you tell them to come get you?

Recognition
Don't

be in Denial (It's not just a river in Egypt) At 500 ft you have about 30 seconds before impact Fly the Airplane - Best Glide Speed Make Radio Call - MAYDAY - Position - POB (Persons on Board) - Intentions Activate ELT - Transponder to 7700 Aim for any vessels you see.

Initial Actions
Secure

Loose Items Get Raft Ready Secure Door or Canopy Open Stow Headsets & Loose Items Remove & Stow Eyeglasses Tighten Restraining Gear Broadcast MAYDAY FLY THE PLANE!

Ditching

Determine the direction of the Swells and of the Wind. Fuel Off unless power is still available. If power is still available, use it to insure control and a margin above stall. In retracts, leave gear up. Tighten PFD's and restraints Have Passengers assume Brace Positions Reduce Sink Rate

DO

NOT STALL!

Fly the aircraft, remain under control.

From AOPA Pilot July 1999 by Thomas Home In flight Emergencies -------

Brace Positions
Keep feet outside of seat crush zone. Feet forward of seat and flat on floor.

Brace Positions
Cross arms. Slip thumbs under shoulder harness straps. Grip straps firmly.

Brace Positions

Tuck head into the V formed by your crossed arms. This will help prevent your neck from rotating forward and hyper extending.

Brace Positions

Seat belts should be low on the hips and as tight as possible. Shoulder restraints should be tightened as much as possible. Seat should be aft as far as possible.

Brace Positions

For single strap shoulder restraint systems, Grasp the single strap as shown earlier.

Brace Positions

Then grasp your shoulder with the other hand. Again, this forms a V in which you nest your head.

Brace Positions

Then tuck your head into the V formed by your arms, Grip the shoulder strap and your unrestrained shoulder very tightly.

Ditching
If no power is available, a greater than normal approach speed should be used down to the flare. This speed margin will allow the glide to be broken early and more gradually, thereby giving the pilot time and distance to feel for the surface -decreasing the possibility of stalling high or flying into the water.
- - - Aircraft Emergency Procedures Over Water, USCG CG-306

Ditching
Calm Water - Land into wind Low wind speed - Land parallel to swells, on top of swell if possible High Wind speed - Land into wind on back side of swells

Avoid

the face of a swell!

Ditching

Thumbs Outside of Yoke

To prevent them from being broken if the yoke is forced back by the impact.

From AOPA Pilot July 1999 by Thomas Home In flight Emergencies -------

Touchdown!
Brace for Impact w/ thumbs outside of yoke. Touchdown at the lowest speed possible, but dont lose control. Use soft field landing technique. Use any power still available. Plane may or may not be upright. You have about a 50/50 chance of being upright or inverted. It may be dark. You may be underwater. Keep your shoes on! Dont panic!

From AOPA Pilot July 1999 by Thomas Home In flight Emergencies -------

Egress
Establish and Hold Reference Point Keep your feet on the deck to maintain orientation. Remember what was on your right when you were upright is still on your right when you are inverted. Do not release restraints till motion stops! Dont let go with both hands at the same time!

Egress

Open Doors - Windows Wait for Motion to Stop Take Deep Breaths before being submerged. Count 3 - 4 seconds - release harness Use Hand over Hand method to Egressalways have one hand in contact w/ the aircraft to remain oriented. Keep your feet on the deck to remain oriented. DO NOT INFLATE PFDs until clear of aircraft!

From AOPA Pilot July 1999 by Thomas Home In flight Emergencies -------

Egress Get out already!

Breath out - bubbles go to surface Get Clear of Aircraft Do NOT Inflate PFD or Raft until clear of aircraft Secure raft to yourself, not to airplane. Tie individual rafts together You may have less than a minute before aircraft is submerged

Egress Get out already!

To find sources, search the Web using Seat Belt Cutter in your favorite search engine.

A Seat Belt Cutter may be a useful tool to have readily available. They are inexpensive, and could save your life if your restraints do not release.

Survival
Get

Away from Aircraft Inflate PFD Do a Head Count Deploy Raft - Get In Inventory Gear - Assess Situation

Most Important Stuff!

Remain

afloat Life Jacket /

PFD Get out of the Water - Raft or Immersion Suit Get help Signaling Gear, PLB

Rescue!

This pilot kept his cool and was rescued!

From AOPA Pilot July 1999 by Thomas Home In flight Emergencies -------

Life Jackets / PFDs Personal Flotation Devices

Lifesaving Systems Inc. (LSI)
This is the one the Coast Guard uses. Rugged, designed for constant wear.

Storage pouches included for survival gear.

Nice hat not included.

Life Jackets / PFDs Personal Flotation Devices

Suspender type manufactured by several makers, including:

SoSpenders Mustang
Light Weight & Comfortable. Relatively inexpensive.

Life Jackets / PFDs Personal Flotation Devices

Switlik Constant Wear Vest
Similar to LSI vest Includes pouches

Life Jackets / PFDs

Manufactures several inflatable vests including Airline style and quick donning pouch vests.

EAM - Eastern Aero Marine

Cold Water is a Big Hazard!

Now that youve survived the ditching, and have gotten out of the aircraft and are afloat, you still have a big problem. You have to get out of the water, or stop the heat loss, or you will die. The clock is running . . . Your remaining lifespan depends on the temperature of the water and how you can stop your heat loss.

When Immersed in Cold Water:

Hypothermia can begin within 10-15 minutes. Hypothermia can cause death, or contribute to drowning. Unconsciousness occurs when core temp. is 89.6 degrees. (Normal 98.6) Death likely when core cools below 86 degrees.

Under good conditions

(life jacket, light clothing, staying still) -60 degree water - survival time 7 hours 50 degree water - survival time 2.5 hours 40 degree water - survival time 2 hours 32 degree water - survival time 1.5 hours

Survival Factors in Cold Water

Will

to Live - Most important in all survival situations. Flotation - Personal Flotation Device (PFD) essential. Heat Retention - Clothing / Raft / Survival Gear

"STAY" Rules for Cold Water Survival

Stay

Afloat Stay Dry Stay Still Stay Warm Stay with Aircraft / Boat

Stay Afloat

Must breathe to prevent drowning Must control panic to breathe. Panic decreases ability to float. Lifejacket / PFD Non-swimmers need assistance of PFD. Provides advantage recovering from cold shock and allows better breath control. Without PFD Flotation is possible even with heavy clothes. Trapped air in clothing assists flotation. Hold onto floating debris.

Stay Dry
Get out of water ASAP. If thats impossible, get main heat loss areas out of water (hang on to floating object). Get head dry and out of water. Head in water increases heat loss by 80% over head out of water. A dry suit is best protection, but not as good as being out of the water.

Stay Still
Movement

increases circulation and heat exchange in extremities. Staying still decreases heat loss by 30% over swimming or treading. It is difficult to float motionless with out Lifejacket / PFD

Stay Warm
Main

Heat Loss Areas

Head & Neck

Groin

Sides of Chest Protect main heat loss areas Wear coat & hat

Stay Warm
If

getting out of water is impossible, assume HELP, HUDDLE, Human Carpet or Human Chain positions. These positions double survival time over swimming or treading. These positions are impossible without a PFD.

Stay Warm

H.E.L.P.
Heat Escape Lessening Posture Impossible without a PFD

HUDDLE
A group hug to conserve heat Impossible without a PFD

STAY WARM
Human Chain

Human Carpet

Stay with Aircraft / Boat

May be possible to get out of water. Better chance of being spotted - larger target. Success in swimming to shore depends on many variables. Swimming increases heat loss. In 50 degree water, average person wearing PFD and light clothing can cover a distance of only .85 mile before being incapacitated by hypothermia.

Life Rafts
Patten Group
1 Man LRU-18/U Raft This is the One Man Yacht used by the Coast Guard Also available with protective covers

Life Rafts
The Patten Group one person raft is also available in a wearable package. This insures that the raft goes out of the plane when you do.

Life Rafts
Winslow Life Raft
Manufactures a wide variety of excellent quality rafts,suitable for boats, aircraft, off shore, etc.

ADC
Aviation Dry Suit Coverall
Worn with special undergarments, ADCs are expensive, require training and maintenance. But for pilots who spend a lot of time over water, they may be lifesavers.

So now youre floating around in your little boat. Now what?

Assess your situation what shape are you in breathing, injured, warm, dry? Do you have an ELT, or PLB? Are there any vessels or aircraft nearby? How can you attract attention?

How long is it going to take to be rescued?

That depends a great deal on your prior planning! Does anyone know that youre in trouble? Did you file a Flight Plan? Did you send a MAYDAY? Were you in communication w/ ATC, an AFSS, or anyone else? Did your ELT automatically activate or did you manually activate your ELT, or PLB? If no one knows youre there, get comfy. Itll be a while!

How long. . . ?
If in contact w/ ATC, rescue services will be notified immediately. Accurate position info greatly expedites recovery. A 406 MHz ELT or PLB gives immediate notification, accurate location.

What about Flight Plans?

Search process begins 30 minutes after flight plans expire, if not cancelled, BUT: The initial search is by radio & phone, to see if you have landed along your route.

When a Flight Plan Expires

At ETA +30 min an INREQ -Information Request is sent by FSS or ARTCC to begin a PRECOM phone calls to enroute airports and quick ramp checks. ALNOT - ALERT NOTICE - sent 1 hour after an INREQ. EXCOM begins All ATC Facilities are notified. Search area is up to 50 miles either side of route. 1 hour after ALNOT, (if not before) Rescue Coordination Center is notified, then SAR services. Search area is expanded to maximum range of aircraft.

SAR Response Time Line

ETA + 30 Minutes INRQ ALNOT + 1 hour RCC notified + 1 hour SAR forces are activated

30 min 1+30 min ~2+30 min ~3+00 min

THESE

TIMES ARE ONLY IF YOU FILE A FLIGHT PLAN! See why we dont want to depend on THAT?

How long. . . ?

The less info SAR units have about your location, the larger the Search Area. The larger the Search Area, the longer the search until you are located. The more accurately you communicate position information, the more accurate your flight plan is regarding time and route, and if your 406 MHz ELT registration information is complete and current, the better your chances for a speedy recovery.

How long. . . ?
ELT searches initially require location processing by Satellites. 121.5 MHz beacons can take one hour or more to alert (due to satellite positions). These are subject to a high false alarm rate (97%), so confirmation is required before SAR forces are deployed. 406 MHz emergency beacons are vastly superior to 121.5 MHz units, and result in a much faster, more accurate response.

Why You May Need A New ELT.

The International Cospas-Sarsat Program will terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons on February 1, 2009. After this date, mariners, aviators and other persons will have to switch to emergency beacons operating at 406 MHz in order to be detected by satellites. - - - USCG Office of Search and Rescue

Whats the difference in . . . Coverage?

406 MHz Global coverage with Geostationary satellites and MEOSATS

121.5 MHz Ground station dependent Ground stations have about 1800 mile radius Only 1/3 of the globe covered Waiting time increases closer to Equator (can be > 2 hrs) No immediate alerting capability unless satellite directly over distressed vessel.

Whats the difference in . . . False Alarms?

406 MHz All alerts from beacons 1 in 10 alerts are actual distress Beacon registration allows rapid verification 80% of false alerts are resolved by phone w/o launching SAR responders

121.5 MHz 1 in 8 alerts from beacons Non-beacon interferers have included ATM machines, pizza ovens, and stadium scoreboards! Less than 2 in 1000 alerts are actual distress Analog signal only: no digital ID code to let SARSAT system know signal is from a beacon No way to verify alerts

Whats the difference in . . . Alerting? 121.5 MHz 406 MHz

SAR assets launch on first alert. Average 2.5 hrs saved in maritime, 6 hrs in inland. Assets on scene earlier Vessel/aircraft ID, POC with alerts allows rapid corroboration or standdown. Near instantaneous detection 5.0 Watt output

High false alarm rate makes first-alert launch unfeasible. Absent independent distress corroboration, RCCs must wait for additional alert info. Alerts are anonymous. No instantaneous detection. 0.1 Watt output

Whats the difference in . . . Position Information?

406 MHz

121.5 MHz

1-3 nm accuracy 100 yard accuracy with GPS-equipped beacon Non-GPS initial search area about 12.5 sq nm GPS-equipped beacons reduce search area to a negligible area Search area reduced 97% vs 121.5 beacons

12-16 nm accuracy 450 sq nm initial search area on average

Lets see what that looks like.

121.5 Beacon 450 Sq Mi Search Area

21.2 NM

21.2 NM

406 Beacon w/o GPS 12.5 Sq MI Search Area

3.5 NM

3.5 NM

406 Beacon w/ GPS 100 Yard Accuracy

406 Beacon w/ GPS 100 Yard Accuracy

100 YD

100 YD

Whats the difference in Cost?

406 MHz Starting at $1000 GPS units $1500

121.5 MHz Starting at $500

Ask yourself . . .

Whats your life worth? Whats your familys life worth? If you ever really need it, wont it be worth whatever it cost to have it work?

Other voices . . .
It

is important to note that after 2009, existing 121.5-MHz ELTs, although still legal from the FAA's perspective, will provide extremely limited assistance if an aircraft crashes, especially in a remote location. - - - AOPA Regulatory Brief

Other voices . . .
134

extra lives and millions of dollars in SAR resources could be saved per year if aircraft switched to 406 MHz ELTs.
- - - NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center

Other voices . . .
Due

to the obvious advantages of 406 MHz beacons and the significant disadvantages of the older 121.5 MHz beacons, . . . all pilots are highly encouraged to consider making the switch to 406!
- - - US Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue

So how long. . . ?
Unless your MAYDAY call was heard . . . Unless you have a 406 MHz ELT . . . . . . it will likely be several hours before anyone starts looking for you. Then, SAR units have to plan a search and be deployed. And then, you still have to be found! You may have drifted with the wind or waves, enlarging the search area. Care to look at those cold water survival times again?

Remember, this is under good conditions!

60 degree water - survival time 7 hours 50 degree water - survival time 2.5 hours 40 degree water - survival time 2 hours 32 degree water - survival time 1.5 hours

This

is why getting out of cold water is a big, big deal!

What are my chances of surviving any of this?

Very good, IF you are prepared. A ditching is an intentional water touchdown under control, not an uncontrolled crash. Of the 179 ditchings reviewed, only 22, or 12 percent, resulted in fatalities. The overall general aviation ditching survival rate is 88 percent.

From Ditching Myths Torpedoed! By Paul Bertorelli, Aviation Safety

1999 Belvoir Publications Published on Equipped To Survive

Now, we go to work!

Signaling Devices
Mirror Flares Whistle ELT (or PLB can be carried as extra equipment) Dye - SeeRescue Device Chemical Light Sticks Strobe Cell Phone or Aviation Handheld Radio if in waterproof bag

Where is the person ?

Wheres the person?

Signaling Gear
Be Seen to Be Rescued
SeeRescue Streamer
Replaces dye markers Doesnt disperse in strong winds or currents Very conspicuous from the air

Signaling Gear - ELT

Emergency Locator Transmitter
Most U.S. civil aircraft are required to carry ELTs by congressional mandate. 406 MHz ELTs are required to be registered. This registration is free and can be done on line at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ ELTs should only be tested according to the manufacturers instructions.

Signaling Gear - PLB

Personal Locator Beacon
Optional distress alerting satellite beacon. --Like a personal ELT except that it must be manually activated. --PLBs operate on 406 MHz. --Some include GPS. --About the size of a cell phone.

If you dont get a new ELT, at least get one of these!

Signaling Gear

Signal Mirror and Whistle Two very basic, very

inexpensive and very effective signaling devices, which could save your life.

Signaling Gear

Strobe lights Inexpensive and essential for recovery

at night.

Survival Gear Pouch

A pouch like this can be used to carry essential signaling and survival gear, when attached to PFDs without built in equipment pouches.

Have a plan!
Actors and athletes practice over and over to get their actions correct. Isnt survival more important than a show or a game? Plan, and practice the plan. Dont let an emergency be the first time you practice survival skills. You practice flying. Practice surviving.

Practice your Plan

Make Ditching / Egress procedures part of every pre-flight briefing. Include: Emergency calls Ditching procedures Brace Positions Removal of restraints Egress procedures Survival equipment

Pilot / Crew Egress Exercise

Make radio calls Secure stuff in the cockpit Tighten restraints Dont inflate PFD yet Who opens doors Door opening procedure How to jam doors open How to move the seats What is the alternate egress path Brace positions

Who takes out the raft / signaling gear Bring hats, coats, wear shoes Order of egress What to do after egress How to inflate PFD / Raft Where to meet Who does head count Tie rafts together

Practice your Plan

While practicing egress, check position of flaps vs. doors. In some high wing planes lowered flaps block the doors. Add to survival equipment

Orange stocking (watch) cap- keeps head

warm, increases visibility. Large Industrial Strength Trash Bags can provide thermal protection if worn in water.

Practice estimating swells and wind speed by observing the water surface. Practice Soft Field Landings.

Plan to avoid mishaps!

Safety isnt an event, its an attitude! Avoid long flights over water if you arent properly equipped. Check your aircraft, check your survival equipment, check your planning, check yourself. Check your fuel quality, fuel quantity, and know how to use all of the fuel you carry. Check the weather, then check the fuel again. One more time, check the fuel.

Plan your Flight, Fly your Plan!

No one plans to have a mishap. But lots of mishaps occur from lack of proper planning. The best way to avoid using Water Survival skills is to plan to avoid a mishap. But plan to use those skills in the event of an un-planned event. Even the best of plans can go awry. Plan on it happening to you!

See a pattern here?

Lets not meet by accident!

Questions?

Thank you!